Lady Tigers open signing class with Baldwyn standout

BOONEVILLE – Northeast Mississippi Community College women’s basketball program opened up its 2013-14 signing class with a local product.

Baldwyn’s Ayana Ragin agreed to become a Lady Tiger during a ceremony at the Prentiss County-based school on Wednesday, April 24.

“We are happy to add Ayana to the Lady Tiger program,” said second-year Lady Tiger head coach Brian Alexander. “She was one of the best perimeter scorers in north Mississippi this year and we think she has the ability to develop into a nice player for us on the college level.”

During the 2012-13 season, Ragin carried the Lady Bearcats to the quarterfinals of the Class 2A North Half championships.

In addition to the run to North Half play, Ragin helped lead Baldwyn to a runner-up finishes in both the Prentiss County Tournament and Division 1-2A.

Ragin averaged 18.6 points per game her senior year after a 15.6 points per outing average during her junior campaign.

In 2010-11, Ragin had one of her best offensive outings with an 18.7 points per game average.

During her time at Baldwyn, Ragin has amassed 1,526 points and 843 rebounds while being named to the Division 1-2A All-Division team four straight years and the All-Prentiss County squad for three consecutive seasons.

In 2010-11, Ragin was named the Division 1-2A Offensive Player of the Year for her 18.7 points per game average in just a season later, the Baldwyn native received the division’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

Ragin has served as the Bearcat team captain since 2011 and has been named Baldwyn High School’s best offensive player since 2009.

In addition to the division and Prentiss County runner-up finishes in 2012-13, Ragin also helped lead the Lady Bearcats to a division runner-up finish in 2011-12 and back-to-back Prentiss County runner-up finishes in 2009-10 and 2010-11.

“Ayana enjoyed success at Baldwyn High School under Coach Reneetra Pippen and comes from a home with great parents,” Alexander added.

For more on Ragin signing with Alexander you can log onto www.nemccathletics.com or watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hx1gtF2qzWw&feature=youtu.be.